Annie Power hacks up in Grade 1

Annie Power got back into the winning groove in the Grade 1 mares champion hurdle in Punchestown.

She suffered the first defeat of her career in the World Hurdle at Cheltenham, however, there was no danger today of her being beaten as she made all and stayed on well to win easily by seven lengths.

The six-year-old mare only faced four other horses as Glens Melody cried off due to being stiff. She jumped slightly left at times, but once she went clear from the second last she duly landed the odds of 1/6. Jennies Jewel at 25/1 came in second.

Ruby Walsh said: “She jumped left in Fairyhouse last year as well. Obviously she would be better going left-handed. That’s as sharp as she’d want to go. On any kind of sound surface she would want to go up in trip.”

Willie Mullins reported: “Ruby wanted to be bold to jump out and let her go. I don’t think we are going to go again this year. We’ll probably give her a break as she’s had a hard enough season. I’d love to see her jump those French hurdles, but she has possibly done enough travelling this season.

“She has jumped better but it’s the end of the season. She was hanging a bit off the rails. That’s a bit of a concern, but she’s not raced right-handed much. We didn’t put in ear plugs today which could also be a reason.”

As regards future plans for his stable stars Mullins commented: “We’ve a lot of things to decide and we’ve a bit of thinking and drinking to do!”

Mullins also advised that Quevega, who has retired from racing, was covered by Beat Hollow. He picks her up tomorrow and everything went well.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee